97. Third wheel

words - 1600+

The longest one yet :) Just errr more to enjoy... riiiight?

The restaurant was busy tonight, Mamoru noticed as he watched the waiters scurry from table to table. He wondered nervously if perhaps he had been mistaken in selecting this venue for a date, hoping that the background chatter wouldn't be too difficult to talk over. Perhaps he should have chosen something a little less popular and a little more private maybe? Oh why did he wear his blue shirt? He definately should have gone with the grey. He hands gripped his knees tightly, trying to still their trembling. Oh boy, he couldn't remeber if he'd takne a breath mint already? To be honest, when Motoki had set him up on this blind date he couldn't have cared less about meeting this girl, let alone where they would eat, or how his breath might smell. In fact, even after they had met perhaps half an hour ago he still couldn't have cared less. Granted she was good looking - dark, pretty and petite- but he just wasn't really interested.

Looking across the table at his date, his blue eyes tried to catch her glistening brown ones. Maybe he'd try search once more for that illusive 'spark'. Mai was playing with her long dark hair when she noticed his gaze and smiled back, her face glowing in the candle light.

Nope. Nothing. Nada
He let out a quick, nervous breath and looked away. Mamoru didn't know why he was suddenly so anxious about it all - the venue, his appearance, his breath.

And then she spoke. And then he knew why.

"...and not even kidding, he put hair-growth solution in my facial cream!" Usagi exclaimed from Mamoru's right hand side in a seat she had hijacked from the table beside them just five minutes passed.

"Quit yapping Odango Atama" he cut in before she could launch into another warpped retelling of a memory she had of him picking on her.

"Mai didn't come here to listen to your cry-baby whinging all night." He teased, wearing his usual smirk "actually she didn't come her to listen to you at all"

Feigning surprise Usagi's face came to life

"Oh what? She didn't? No... no, of course you're right, she came here because MOTOKI FORCED HER to take pity on you. 'Sif you could con a girl like that into dating you on your own. Hah!"

"Well actually we.." Mai tried to come to poor Mamoru's defence, but Usagi didn't pause long enough for her to breathe let alone reply.

"and while we are at it Baka-face, I only followed you two here tonight because I, being the kind and lovely person that I am, thought that this innocent girl deserved to know what a monster she was seeing tonight!"

Mamoru turned his body away from Mai to face Usagi raising his eyebrows at her

"Funny thing to note Odango, dating usually only requires the presence of two people. Both Mai -one- and I -two- are here, so that leaves you as the useless third wheel. Feel free to leave at any time" He taunted "You won't be missed. In fact, you were never welcome"

Breathing heavily, Usagi tried to think of a good comeback. And failed

"Oh yeah? Well umm tri-cycles have three wheels thankyou and the third one isn't even useless... and anyway, I'm not leaving until Mai knows who she's dealing with. She doesn't know you like I do - lucky for her"

Mai smiled nervously looking between the two foes, neither had thrown a glance in her direction almost since Usagi had arrived. Clearing her throat she tried to speak

"Oh Usagi, it's fine, really -"

She was completely ignored.

"Yes, yes, I'm sure she gets the point Usagi, I'm a monster. Good. Great. Now you can go" He finally looked away from her flustered face and pointed toward the exit doors. Usagi pursed her lips and turned to look at Mai, who shrugged and nodded with a smile. Shifting in her chair, Usagi stood up, her pout indicating just how unhappy she felt about it. She made to leave-

"Usagi wait!" Mamoru said suddenly, surprising all three at the table "I mean errrr whatever Odango. You're the monster, not me." He said quickly, hoping the girls didn't notice the nervous blush that was creeping up his neck and ears. "You were the one who humiliated me in front of everyone with your "he has no hair on his chest" stunt. My teeny prank was just payback"

Usagi threw her purse back down, rolled her eyes and reclaimed her seat,

"God that was ONE TIME. You have got to let it go! Besides, that wasn't even nearly half as bad as the things you say about my hair every single day..."

Feeling increasingly uncomfortable by the minute, Mai continued to watch Mamoru, simply praying to catch his attention. She just wanted Usagi to leave already so she could start her date with Motoki's handsome friend. She really quite liked him, but had barely had any time alone with him and since Usagi came, she'd had NO time with him at all... and to think Usagi had been so close to leaving! Why did Mamoru have to call her back just to pick a fight? Surely it was just because he didn't want Mai thinking he was a monster right?

Hoping to distract them, she beckoned at a nearby waiter who upon seeing her pretty face ran straight over.

"Can I help you Madam?"

"Yes please, we're ready to order, but ummm can you start with those two?" she asked, hoping that the presence of the waiter would halt their fuss - while they ordered at least.

Smiling, the waiter took out his pen and paper and stood in front of Usagi and Mamoru

" ...oh and it's just a coincidence that you happen to start smelling of my cologne a day after it goes missing?" Mamoru challenged. A blushing Usagi stammered on

"errrr well you stole my maths assignment the night before..."

Even with the waiter patiently standing in front of them, clearing his throat and attempting to speak, it was as if there was nobody else in the world but the two of them.

Just the flustered Usagi and the smug Mamoru.

No sweet and timid Mai, or the waiting waiter for that matter.

"Should I come back?" the waiter quietly asked Mai, who shook her head and reached over the table tapping Mamoru on the shoulder

"Are you ready to order Mamo-san?" she asked sweetly, flashing him her most mesmerising smile. She heard the waiter draw in breath. She did tend to have that effect on men. Mamoru flashed her a quick, dazzling smile of his own

"Could you give us a second please?" he asked politely before turning back to Usagi, his charming smile replaced by a mocking sneer

"...says you who hacked up my clothes? I had to buy a whole new wardrobe!"

"Pfft, not that you can tell. Your clothes are still horrible..." Usagi retorted, plucking at the sleeve of his sharp, button-up shirt.

dammit, I knew I should have gone with the grey...

The waiter glanced between Usagi and Mamoru. And Mai. Usagi and Mamoru. And Mai.

"I errr think I will come back.." He said, but Mai stopped him with a shaking hand on his arm

"Just one more minute...please?" she pleaded before turning her attention to the pair, listening for an opening into the conversation. She waited

"Mamo?"

and waited

"Usagi?"

and waited.

"Guys please!" Mai finally yelled her voice quivering "Can we order already?"

The neighbouring tables stopped their talking and looked over.

The waiter watched the pair expectantly

"FIVE HOURS AND A FAIL BAKA! Besides, I gave you back your stupid jacket didn't I?" Usagi screeched as if she had heard nothing

And then she saw it. She saw that spark in his eyes and the flush in her cheeks. How hadn't she seen it earlier?

Turning back to the waiter, Mai pressed her full lips into a grimace of sadness jumbled up in frustration.

"You know what? Don't bother"

The waiter left her with a sad smile that sent Mai over the edge. She had to leave immediately. Grabbing her wallet, she stood up loudly, dramatically and waited for them to notice her.

They didn't.

"WELL you two have a lovely date then!" She snapped loudly, her eyes brimming with tears and stormed out of the restaurant.

Mamoru finally pulled gaze away from Usagi long enough to watch Mai's back disappear through the exit doors.

"What did I do?" He asked Usagi, genuinely confused.

Ignoring Mamoru, Usa shook her head, innocently holding up her palms

"Poor girl," she said with a sigh "It's never easy being the third wheel." Not that Usagi - seated awkwardly in the middle of the aisle off to Mamoru's right - would know what that felt like. Flipping open Mai's menu in her hijacked chair, she folded Mai's napkin out onto her knees.

"So Baka-face, shall we order?"

a/n - If you like my a chapter/the story - please let me know =] . Thankyou so much to everyone who has reviewed so far! x